Life line for boats



Sept. 15, 1953 FIG. I

l. A. NEWLAND LIFE LINE FOR BOATS Filed Sept. 12, 1952 INVENTOR HSAAC A. NEWLAND MXW Patented Sept. 15, 1953 UNITED STATES QFFICE LIFELINE FOR' BOATS Isaac-AANewland, Duluth, Minn.

Application September 12, 1952SrialNoa 309;2232:

2 Claims. (Cl. 9 -1) This invention relates-to asafety device and: has special reference to a portableelifeiline foii attachment to boats.

It is well known that many lives are lost=each year by small boats overturning and the occupants being unable to either swim ashore, or to hold on tothe boat long enough to be'rescued. These boatsseldom if ever'sink; they remain afloat either because they are made of Wood or because-of the air tanks which. are a parts Boats, when overturned, are difiicult .to hold onto.

It is therefore one of my principal objects to provide a safety line to fit any small boat and'to be put on before embarking on a boat ride or trip to provide a convenient and easily accessible hand grip in the event the boat capsizes.

Another object is to provide such a device which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and sell yet will serve its purpose efficiently.

Another object is to provide such a device which is small in bulk and readily foldable and portable and may be carried in ones fishing tackle box, pocket, or the like.

Another object is to provide such a device which will not mar or deface a boat whereby the device may be used on rented boats Without cause for objection by the boat owner.

Another, more specific object is to provide a spring clip for engagement over the gunwale of any small boat and to engage both the inner and outer walls of the boat below the gunwales so that vibration of an outboard motor or accidental blows will not dislodge the clip from the boat so that the device will not be lost from the boat in the event it is struck during the capsizing.

Another object is to so attach the rope portion of the life line to the spring clip that the clip will hold securely whether the device is used when the boat is upright or overturned.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of my safety line device.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the device showing it mounted on a boat being included for illustration.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but with the device shown in a condition as it would be if pulling stress is applied on the line.

In the drawing the numeral l indicates the sides of a boat, the numeral 2 the seat of the boat. and 3 the gunwale thereof which is normally thicker than the side walls of the boat, as shown.

2 The gunwaleusua'lly: includes a member extending outwardlyeon-each-side of the side walls of thev'boat' aseshown, providing a ledge 4 on the inner upper:edge ofithetside of the boat and a ridge or ledge 5 on the outside of the upper edge of the boat.-

Mysafety line comprisesaring or clip member 8-preferablyyof substantial-1y. circular shape. The clip is of spring metal of suitable width, as shown, and. includes end members-1*! bent inwardly toward the center of the clip in substantially'parallel' relation to each other, the ends being biased towards each other so that-they will engage each other when the clip is not in place on a boat. The adjacent surfaces of each of the end members are provided with a cushioning member 8 to prevent scratching or marring a boat.

The clip member has a slot 9 therethrough longitudinally thereof diametrically opposite the end members 7-1, and an opening Iii there= through adjacent one of the end members i.

A length of flexible cord or rope It is secured to the clip in a predetermined manner, as shown, to provide proper operation of the clip when in use.

The attachment of the cord II to the clip includes a knot [2 at one end of the cord. The cord is rove through the opening it from the outside of the clip inwardly, then the cord is brought out of the clip through the slot 9. The opposite end of the cord is then tied in a loop l3 of sufcient size to provide a hand hold, and a wooden or plastic handle [4 is carried in the loop I3 by providing a longitudinal opening I5 through the handle and inserting the cord through the opening as shown. The handle serves to maintain the loop in open condition and permits its being grasped more readily. In addition, by having an open loop present a person may more readily aid a companion who may not be able to swim or who is injured by putting the companions hand through the loop and running the loop up his arm to the armpit to support the companions weight and prevent his slipping from ones grip. This latter possibility increases as the length of time in the water increases, of course, because of fatigue.

In operation, the ends 6-6 of the clip are sprung apart and then engaged over the gunwale 4 with the ends below the gunwale and engaging and gripping the sides of the boat on the inside and outside, due to the spring bias of the clip. The clip is sufficiently large as to not engage or embrace the gunwale tightly, as shown.

The cord l I may be carried on either the inside or outside of the boat, for it extends from the clip on the upper end thereof, as shown, however, it is preferred that the cord hang outside to make the same instantly available if the boat overturns. In addition, it is preferred that the handle M be bouyant and painted with a luminous bright colored paint so it can be easily seen by one in the water.

If a boat equipped with this life line should capsize and lie overturned, the handle may be grasped and downward pressure may be exerted thereon if required or desired however the clip will retain its grip on the gunwale because of the cords being fastened close to the innermost end member 1, and extending through the slot 9. No excessive lateral stresses can be applied to the clip by ones normal movements when holding on to the life line so that the clip cannot be dislodged.

When the boat is in upright position and maybe swamped, one can pull downwardly on the cord and the grip of the clip on the boat will be tightened, as shown in Fig. 3. The life line may even be used to aid ones getting back into the boat, of course.

From the above, it is deemed apparent that I have provided a simple and efficient life line for small boats which is readily portable and easy to use.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A life line for small boats having a gunwale on the upper edge of their sides comprising a spring metal clip for engagement around said gunwale, and members on said clip for gripping said sides, said clip having a pair of openings therethrough, one of said openings being close to one of said end members, the other of said openings being a slot diametrically opposite from said end members, and a flexible cord extending through said openings within said clip between said openings, and means securing said cord from removal from said clip.

2. A life line for small boats having a gunwale on the upper edge of their sides comprising a spring metal clip for engagement around said gunwale, and members on said clip for gripping said sides, said clip having a pair of openings therethrough, one of said openings being close to one of said end members, the other of said openings being a slot diametrically opposite from said end members, and a flexible cord extending through said openings within said clip between said openings, and means securing said cord from removal from said clip, said means including a knot at one end of said cord and a loop at the opposite end thereof.

ISAAC A. NEWLAND.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 896,037 Neely Aug. 11, 1908 944,022 Eken Dec. 21, 1909 2,478,042 Elling Aug. 2, 1949 

